Jewelry system for expressing emotional state

ABSTRACT

A jewelry system for expressing a user&#39;s emotional state. The jewelry system includes a rotatable wheel and a stationary member having an aperture. The rotatable wheel has a number of emotional states indicated therein on its face. The stationary member and the rotatable wheel are substantially the same size so that when the stationary member is mounted over the rotatable wheel, the stationary member and rotatable wheel are substantially aligned. The stationary member covers the emotional states except for a selected emotional state that remains visible via the aperture. The rotatable wheel is capable of being rotated to display a selected emotional state through the aperture for viewing by the general public while other emotional states that are not selected remain concealed by the stationary member. The jewelry system might also include optional detachable charms.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to jewelry systems and more specifically to jewelry systems for expressing emotions to the general public.

Tragic situations (e.g. the passing of a family member) do occur and many people often grieve and express their emotions in any number of ways. Some people might place a ribbon on their front door. By so doing neighbors and people in the community might provide support by placing flowers at the griever's door.

Others might express their grief by placing a tattoo of the affected person on their bodies. However, for most people this might not be an acceptable way to express their grief Other grievers yet might seek to join a support group. They can attend monthly support group meetings through which they can discuss and share their experiences with other grievers. The support group provides an outlet through which they can express their grief. However support groups are few and far between and are unavailable in many communities.

Consequently, many grievers have no outlet to express their emotions to the general public and can often become alienated from their communities. A griever that is grocery shopping might encounter a friendly grocery clerk that is unaware of the griever's personal situation. The griever may appear unresponsive and uncommunicative due to the griever's personal situation. The grocery clerk being unaware of the griever's situation might not understand the griever's reaction all of which might further alienate the griever. And so, many grievers can become more distant and less communicative since there is no way for them to share or express their grief or for the general public and community to provide reciprocal support.

There is a need to address one or more of the foregoing disadvantages of conventional systems and how the present invention meets this need.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Various aspects of a jewelry system can be found in exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

In a first embodiment, a user can utilize the jewelry system to express the user's emotional state to the general public. The user might be, for example, grieving the tragic passing of a loved one and might wish to express the user's feelings to the community. As another example, the user might also be coping with a seriously ill family member.

The jewelry system of the present invention includes a rotatable wheel and a stationary member with an aperture. Here, the rotatable wheel preferably has a number of emotional states such as shock, anger, guilt, etc. indicated thereon on its face. In one embodiment, the rotatable wheel and the stationary member are substantially the same size, and when the stationary member is mounted over the rotatable wheel, the stationary member and rotatable wheel are substantially aligned. That is, the edges of the stationary member and that of the rotatable member substantially line up.

When mounted over the rotatable wheel, the stationary member covers all of the emotional states except for a selected emotional state that remains visible through the aperture. Here, the user can then rotate the rotatable wheel to display a selected emotional state through the aperture for viewing by the general public while other emotional states that are not selected by the user remain concealed by the stationary member. In this manner, users can express to community members the users' particular situation and their particular state of grief In turn, community members can understand and possibly offer their support.

In a second embodiment of the present invention, a jewelry system for expressing information is disclosed. Such information might include a user's emotional state, special occasions, periods of sobriety, etc. The jewelry system includes a rotatable member and a stationary member having an opening. The rotatable member has the information displayed thereon on its face. The stationary member is mounted over the rotatable member such that the stationary member and rotatable member are substantially aligned.

When mounted over the rotatable member, the stationary member covers the plurality of information except for a selected information piece, which is observable through the opening, and wherein the rotatable member is rotatable to select the desired information piece for viewing via the opening while non-selected information remains concealed by the stationary member.

A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention herein may be realized by reference to the remaining portions of the specification and the attached drawings. Further features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the present invention, are described in detail below with respect to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates a jewelry system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1B illustrates a wheel of progression for the jewelry system of FIG. 1A according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1C illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an exterior member for the jewelry system of FIG. 1A according to the present invention.

FIG. 2A illustrates a wheel of sobriety according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2B illustrates an alternate wheel of sobriety according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2C illustrates an alternate wheel of sobriety according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates an emoticon wheel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a wheel of occasions according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates another jewelry system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a further jewelry system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the present invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 1A illustrates a jewelry system 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1A, user 102 can utilize jewelry system 100 to express the user's emotions to the community and general public at large. Here, user 102 might be a griever grieving for illness or loss of a family member, for example.

As shown in FIG. 1A, jewelry system 100 comprises exterior member 104 and interior wheel of progression 106, both of which are either detachably coupled or non-detachably coupled to each other. Interior wheel of progression 106 includes a plurality of grief stages such as hope 120 etched on its surface as further described with reference to FIG. 1B. Exterior member 104 further comprises one or more apertures 124 for receiving one or more detachable charms 125, 126.

FIG. 1B illustrates wheel of progression 106 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1B, wheel of progression 106 is rotatable around its axis 123 to display a plurality of grief stages. Wheel of progression 106 might be made of suitable metal such as silver or platinum. Preferably the diameter of the wheel might range from one inch to four inches.

Expressed on the surface of the wheel of progression 106 are various grief stages. Each grief stage is preferably etched or might be indicated using any known methods consistent with the spirit and scope of the present invention. As shown, each grief stage is along each of a consecutive radius of wheel of progression 106. As shown, the first grief stage is shock 108, followed by denial 110, followed by bargaining 112. The next grief stage as shown is guilt 114, anger 116, depression 118, hope 120, and finally survival 122.

FIG. 1C illustrates exterior member 104 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Exterior member 104 includes window of acknowledgment 122 that allows each grief stage to be displayed by user 102. As shown, window of acknowledgment 122 is a pie-shaped aperture that is defined by two radii 129, each of which runs from axis 123 to diameter 130. Diameter 130 defines the exterior boundary of window of acknowledgement 122.

Exterior member 104 also includes plurality of apertures 124 for receiving charms 125 and 126 as further discussed below. Exterior member 104 might comprise the same or a different metal type as wheel progression 106. Design 131 can be provided on the surface of each exterior member 104. As shown jewelry system might be in the form of a brooch or a necklace. Although not shown one of ordinary skill in the art will realize that other embodiments consistent with the spirit and scope of the present invention can be utilized. As another example, jewelry system 100 might be a lapel pin configured to be worn by user 102.

As shown in FIG. 1A exterior member 104 is mounted over wheel of progression 106 and both wheel of progression and exterior member 104 are substantially contiguous with each other. When exterior member 104 is mounted over wheel of progression 106, each grief stage shock 106, hope 120, etc. can be displayed via window of acknowledgment 122 as will now be further described in the following paragraph.

In operation, user 102 wishing to utilize the present invention begins by grasping jewelry system 100 in the palm of one hand. Exterior member 104, which is stationary, is then held while the wheel of progression 106 is turned either clockwise or counterclockwise. Wheel of progression 106 is continuously manipulated in either direction until a desired grief stage is displayed and visible via window of acknowledgment 122. Although not shown, in an alternate embodiment, wheel of progression 106 might itself remain stationary while exterior member 104 is rotated. In that case, exterior member 104 is rotated continuously until a desired grief stage is displayed within the window of acknowledgment 122.

Here, if user 102 is unfamiliar with the various grief stages, user 102 can rotate wheel of progression 106 and study each of the various stages. In this manner, the present invention can assist users to become aware of the various grief stages and at what stage they might possibly be. As an example, the grief stage being experienced by user 102 might be shock 108. User 102 might be uncommunicative and not realize that he or she is in a state of shock. By studying the various grief stages as disclosed by the present invention, user 102 can realize not only which particular grief stage is being experienced but also that each particular stage is transitory. User 102 can then be assured that any stage no matter how debilitating will pass.

In this manner, as user 102 progresses through the various grief stages, the present invention can assist users of jewelry system 100 to identify through awareness what stage they are in. Jewelry system 100 can help users validate their feelings that it is normal and necessary to go through various grief stages. As user 102 progresses through each grief stage user 102 feels a sense of achievement because there is a tangible and concrete way to acknowledge the passage of each stage.

Once user 102 has identified the appropriate grief stage, user 102 can then attach jewelry system 100 to the user's clothing. In the case of a brooch embodiment, jewelry system 100 can be attachable via a safety pin (not shown) attached to the underside of wheel of progression 106.

Referring now to FIG. 1A, the grief stage being experienced by user 102 is hope 120. The letters displayed by each grief stage through acknowledgment window 122 is such that they can be viewed by the general public or community no more than a few yards from user 102. In this manner, users can express to community members the users' particular situation and their grief stage. In turn, community members can understand 102 and possibly offer support. Opportunities flourish when people and the community find out that user 102 is grieving. Conversations are started and they come easily and naturally with questions like, “How old is your son?” and “Oh, my sister has cancer too” or “My thoughts and prayers are with you.”

After the appropriate grief stage is determined, user 102 can now attach one or more detachable charms namely affected loved one charm 125 and/or cause of grief charm 126 to aperture 124 of jewelry system 100. User 102 has the option to attach one or more charms. Affected loved one charm 125 allows user 102 to specify the individual for whom grief is being expressed. The loved ones that can be specified on affected loved one charm 125 include self, husband, wife, or son. User 102 might also specify daughter, sister, brother, family friend, and/or friend.

Cause of grief charm 126 allows user 102 to indicate the reason for such grief. The available options are brain disease, passed away, breast cancer, cancer, accident or suicide. One of ordinary skill in the art will realize that other causes of grief consistent with the spirit and scope of the present invention can be specified. For example, suicide, divorce, diabetes, AIDS, heart disease, or violence can also be specified.

Since it is an extremely personal decision to share such information user 102 might feel that expression of such information is too private. In that case user 102 might decide to wear only affected loved one charm 125 or cause of grief charm 126. In fact, user 102 might decide not to wear either charm. In that case only exterior member 104 and wheel of progression 106 are worn. It is noted that both charms can be attached using a clasp or hook type mechanism, and are attached to exterior member 104 so as to permit rotation of wheel of progression 102 without hindrance.

FIG. 2A illustrates wheel of sobriety 206 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 2A, wheel of sobriety 206 enables recovered alcoholics (e.g., user 102) that have remained sober for at least one year to display the duration of their sobriety. Unlike prior embodiments that indicate various grief stages, wheel of sobriety 206 shows the elapsed time periods beginning from “1 day” 208 through “1 year” 224 for which user 102 has remained sober. As in the prior embodiments, the various indications are shown along the direction of consecutive radii of wheel of sobriety 206.

Specifically, the indicated periods of sobriety are “1 day” 208, “7 days” 210, “1 month” 212, “2 months” 214, “3 months” 216, “4 months” 218, “5 months” 220, “6 months +” 222, and “1 year” 224. User 102 can simply rotate wheel of sobriety 206 to select the appropriate period of sobriety for display within the window acknowledgment.

FIG. 2B illustrates an alternate wheel of sobriety 226 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 2B, wheel of sobriety 226 indicates the period of sobriety in one year increments. As shown user 102 might indicate “1 year” 228, “2 years” 230, “3 years” 234, “4 years” 236, or “5 years” 238. User 102 might also indicate “6 years” 240, “7 years” 242, “8 years” 244, or “9 years” 246.

FIG. 2C illustrates another alternate embodiment of wheel of sobriety 248 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 2C, wheel of sobriety 248 is a life-time wheel. As shown, user 102 can indicate “1 decade” 250, “11 years” 252, “12 years” 254, “13 years” 255, “14 years” 256 or “15 years” 258. User 102 might also select “16 years” 260, “17 years” 262, “18 years” 264, “19 years” 266 or “2 decades” 268. Although not shown, one of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the indicated periods are exemplary and other periods of indications consistent with the spirit and scope of the present invention can be indicated. In this manner, user 102 can utilize all of the aforementioned wheels of sobriety to express to the community periods of sobriety and in return receive acknowledgment and support from the community for such expression.

It is therefore apparent, that the present invention is applicable to situations where users desire to express their emotions, activities or related information in order to convey such information to the community or the general public. Another example is illustrated with reference to FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 illustrates emoticon wheel 306 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 3, emoticon wheel 306 comprises a plurality of emoticons through which user 102 can express the user's feelings. Specifically in FIG. 3, user 102 might be having a good day in which case emoticon wheel 306 is rotated to display emoticon 308, which is a smiley face with teeth. Alternatively, depending on user 102′s feelings, cry emoticon 310, happy emoticon 312, angry emoticon 314, party emoticon 316 or shades emoticon 318 might be displayed.

As another example of the applicability of the present invention, FIG. 8 illustrates a wheel of occasions 800 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 4, wheel of occasions 406 can be used by user 102 to indicate special occasions that user 102 wishes to convey to the public. As shown, wheel of occasion 406 comprises a bat mitzvah 408, baby shower 410, engagement 412, funeral 414, miscellaneous 416, birthday 418, and wedding 420. If, for example, user 102′s daughter is getting married, user 102 can rotate the wheel of occasions such that wedding 420 is displayed in the window of acknowledgment. Note that although not shown, the appropriate detachable charms 125, 126 can be utilized with the aforementioned wheels. Here, for example, affected love one charm 125 can indicate “daughter” to show that user 102′s daughter is getting married.

Note also that although not shown, the present invention is applicable to shapes and sizes consistent with the spirit and scope of the present invention. Applicability of the present invention to different shapes and sizes is illustrated with reference to FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 illustrates jewelry system 500 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 5, jewelry system 500 comprises a circular exterior member 504 and a triangular wheel of progression 506. Either triangular wheel of progression 506 or circular exterior member 504 can be rotated to display a desired state of grief or other desired information to be conveyed to the public.

As another example FIG. 6 illustrates jewelry system 600 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 6, jewelry system 600 comprises square exterior member 604 and circular wheel of progression 606. As in prior embodiments, either wheel of progression 606 or square exterior member 604 is rotatable.

It is thus apparent that the present invention has many advantages not hereinbefore observed in the prior art: (1) the jewelry system of the present invention promotes connectivity and acknowledgment so that grievers and other users can increase their likelihood of connecting with others and receiving support from others in the community; (2) the jewelry system can promote learning of the grief stages through awareness and allow users' feelings to become validated as part of the normal grieving process; and (3) the jewelry system allows users to select and display the grief stage they are in and consciously accept and honor their feelings.

The jewelry system (4) also provides a tangible and concrete way to mark a milestone through a user's progression; (5) the jewelry system is a connection point and is a tangible item that can be touched to provide a sense of peace; (6) jewelry system 100 encourages support so that users can feel that they are not alone; and (7) once survivorship is achieved users can wear the jewelry system to commemorate and honor the experience for many years as a tribute to oneself or to loved ones.

The jewelry system of the present invention can also provide community benefits namely (1) allowing the community to recognize those directly in their midst who are suffering through grief; (2) enabling the community to choose to become involved and provide encouragement and support through a smile, a kind word, encouragement, prayer or other meaningful gestures; (3) allowing users the choice to wear a cause of grief charm such that the public can become aware that users are grieving and to possibly share experiences; (4) providing a deeper sense of appreciation and meaning because community members can reflect on their own lives and become more appreciative for the health and well being of their loved ones.

While the above is a complete description of exemplary specific embodiments of the present invention, additional embodiments are also possible. Thus, the above description should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents. 

1. A jewelry system for expressing a user's emotional state to the general public, said jewelry system comprising: a rotatable wheel, wherein said rotatable wheel has a plurality of emotional states indicated therein on its face; and a stationary member having an aperture, wherein said stationary member and said rotatable wheel are substantially the same size, wherein said stationary member is mounted over said rotatable wheel such that the stationary member and rotatable wheel are substantially aligned, wherein said stationary member covers said plurality of emotional states except for a selected emotional state that remains visible via said aperture; and wherein said user rotates said rotatable wheel to display a selected emotional state via said aperture for viewing by the general public while other emotional states that are not selected remain concealed by said stationary member.
 2. The jewelry system of claim 1 further comprising a first detachable member that is detachably coupled to said stationary member.
 3. The jewelry system of claim 2 wherein the first detachable member indicates thereon a loved one for whom emotion is being displayed.
 4. The jewelry system of claim 1 further comprising a second detachable member different from the first detachable member, said second detachable member being detachably coupled to the stationary member.
 5. The jewelry system of claim 4 wherein the second detachable member indicates thereon a cause of grief on its face.
 6. The jewelry system of claim 1 wherein said aperture begins at an axis and is bounded by two radii and a portion of a diameter of said stationary member.
 7. The jewelry system of claim 1 wherein said emotional states are selected from the group consisting essentially of shock, denial, bargaining, guilt, anger, depression, hope, survivor and shock.
 8. The jewelry system of claim 1 wherein said emotional states are represented by emoticons.
 9. A jewelry system used by a user for expressing information, said jewelry system comprising: a rotatable member, wherein said rotatable member has a plurality of information displayed therein on its face; and a stationary member having an opening, wherein said stationary member is mounted over said rotatable member such that said stationary member and rotatable member are substantially aligned, wherein said stationary member covers said plurality of information except for a selected information piece, which is observable through said opening, and wherein said rotatable member is rotatable to select said information piece for viewing via said opening while non-selected information remains concealed by said stationary member.
 10. The jewelry system of claim 9 further comprising a first detachable member that is detachably coupled to said stationary member.
 11. The jewelry system of claim 10 wherein the first detachable member indicates thereon a loved one for whom emotion is being displayed.
 12. The jewelry system of claim 9 further comprising a second detachable member different from the first detachable member, said second detachable member being detachably coupled to the stationary member.
 13. The jewelry system of claim 12 wherein the second detachable member indicates thereon a cause of for which information is being displayed.
 14. The jewelry system of claim 9 wherein said rotatable member is triangular and said stationary member is circular.
 15. The jewelry system of claim 9 wherein said rotatable member is circular and said stationary member is square-shaped.
 16. The jewelry system of claim 9 wherein said plurality of information is about said user's emotional states.
 17. The jewelry system of claim 9 wherein said plurality of information relates to said user's periods of sobriety.
 18. The jewelry system of claim 9 wherein said plurality of information relates to said user's special occasions. 